CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, THE

daily newspaper (except Saturdays and Sundays), published in Boston under the auspices of the Church of Christ, Scientist. It was established in 1908 at the urging of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the church, as a protest against the sensationalism of the popular press. The Monitor became famous for its thoughtful treatment of the news and for the quality of its long-range, comprehensive assessments of political, social, and economic developments. It is one of the most highly respected American newspapers. At the time of its founding, the Monitor set out to address a national audience, and its circulation grew to 120,000 in its first decade. Notably under Erwin D. Canham, managing editor and editor from 1940 to 1964, it gained worldwide prestige. Its writers and editors are chosen with great care and have included many journalists of distinction. In 1965 the Monitor revised its format to five columns instead of eight and introduced larger type to enhance readability. Its appearance, traditionally austere, was enlivened somewhat by photographs on the front page, although the paper remained spare and quite selective in using illustrations. In 1975 the paper again changed its format, this time to that of a tabloid. In the late 1980s colour photography was introduced. The newspaper does not accept advertising for alcohol, tobacco, books and motion pictures it deems salacious, or financial investments it considers questionable. In the late 1980s only limited national advertisements were accepted. The Christian Science Monitor appears mornings on Monday through Friday. In the early 1980s there were several regional editions. A weekly, international edition is published in England. In 1988 publication of a monthly newsmagazine, World Monitor, began.